Hallelujah Chiucken Run Band:

"The Lion of Zimbabwe," Thomas Mapfumo, is Zimbabwe’s biggest star, one of the most legendary and best-selling African artists of all time. In 1973, Mapfumo helped form the Hallelujah Chicken Run Band and, for the first time, began to shift his music away from Western-influenced rock and explore the traditional music of his Shona people, transcribing the scale of the traditional instrument mbira (or thumb piano) to guitar with his guitarist Joshua Dube. The HCR Band was one of the first to develop the staccato style of guitar for which Zimbabwe is known today, and was also one of the first modern groups to sing in the traditional Shona language – a major act of liberation and an act of protest against the Rhodesian government. This compilation presents 18 of the Hallelujah Chicken Run Band’s biggest and most influential hits, recorded from 1974–1979 and all painstakingly remastered. A series of singles in Shona by the HCR Band recorded by Teal Records (many of which are found here) produced eight gold records in a row beginning in 1974! Take One is a wonderful mixture of songs of liberation alongside poignant love songs. Carefully prepared 24-page booklet is absolutely overflowing with a complete history of the band (edited by renowned critic Banning Eyre), a full detailed discography, and numerous extremely rare photographs and artifacts.

"Thomas Mapfumo is one of his country’s most influential musicians, with hard-driving rhythms, politically tinged lyrics, and gutsy vocals." — Music Hound World

"The second release in the Analog Africa series features the first take of music from the Hallelujah Chicken Run Band, an ensemble led by guitarist Lovemore Nyabenzi, with Thomas Mapfumo on vocals, among many others. Originally formed to entertain workers in the Mangura Copper Mines (with some financial backing from the mine company's chairman), HCRB spent many years throughout the '70s touring as a contest band, and they were also the backing group for a slew of inspired singers. Combining talented musicians from across the continent, the ensemble brought a multi-origin mix of African styles and rhythms together, creating a heated and pulsing brew of trance-inducing high life. The key to their sound lies in the mix of electric mbira (thumb piano) and guitar; the amplified strings and the loop and shift of the metal percussion interlock with the bass, vocals and drums, forming a tightly woven stride and groove. A fine selection of high life and rumba styles, I can't wait for the seasonal African markets to open throughout the streets of New York; this will definitely be playing in my headphones." [DG] - Other Music Update, 4/13/06

Tracks:
Mudzimu Ndiringe
Kare Nanhasi
Ngoma Yarira
Manheru Changamire
Tamba Zimba Navashe
Mutoridodo
Mukadzi Wangu Ndomuda
Sekai
Gore Iro
Murembo
Mwana Wamai Dada Naye
Musawore Moyo
Alikulila
Ndopenga
Ngatiende Kumusha
Shumba Inobva Mu Gomo
Tinokumbira Kuziva
Chaminuka Mukuru